The number of people seriously injured in the premix fuel explosion at Ngyirasia, a community in the Essikadu Ketan Constituency of the Western Region, has risen to sixteen.
Three of the victims are currently at the Saint Benedict Hospital, Inchaban, while thirteen, including children, are at the Effiankwanta Regional Hospital receiving treatment.
The incident, which occurred around 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 18, 2024, also affected two stationary vehicles: a completely burnt Range Rover and an Opel Astra taxi.
Eyewitnesses told the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show, Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, that fishermen in the community had gone to buy premix fuel for fishing and were transporting it to the beach when the drum suddenly fell.
The spilled fuel came into contact with fire from nearby fishmongers, resulting in an explosion.
“The drum fell and the fuel started to spill. It unfortunately went to where fishmongers smoke fish in the community. The spilled fuel got into contact with the fire and caught fire. Those who were closer, including children, got badly injured and were rushed to the Effiankwanta Regional Hospital for treatment,” an eyewitness, Kwesi, indicated.
Fire personnel from the Western Region Headquarters of the Ghana National Fire Service responded promptly and brought the fire under control.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Sekondi Takoradi, Abdul Mumin Issah, has since visited the scene and the injured to assess the extent of the damage.
Police have begun investigations to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
See pictures below:
